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#364050
Thought this was a very interesting article by racer and doctor, James Norman.
As a current racer in the Grand-Am Rolex series as well as the Continental-Tire Challenge, I called upon my fellow driver and neurosurgeon Dr Jim Lowe to help me put these deaths into perspective, and to review briefly and in lay-terms the medical causes of race car driver deaths.P

Moreover, we wanted to show the progress that has been made in racing by the various sanctioning bodies and to reassure our fellow drivers that we are much safer than we have ever been, and that the sanctioning bodies are doing an extremely good job at implementing changes that help protect us from injury, and ultimately, death.P

What follows here is a review — from a medical point of view — of why race car drivers die. We aren’t going to say that they died because of a suspension failure, or brake failure, we are going to tell what happened to the racer’s body that caused the death. We won’t leave it there, however, we will help you understand how the rules were changed to protect drivers so that these injuries and deaths become more and more rare.


Link: Why Drivers Still Die In Racing Crashes
#364063
It has been very quite lately on the canopy/safety cage/bars/whatever front. Has anybody heard anything about the status on this? Is it coming or have the FIA scrapped the idea?
#364071
It has been very quite lately on the canopy/safety cage/bars/whatever front. Has anybody heard anything about the status on this? Is it coming or have the FIA scrapped the idea?


More like they realize (and quietly accepting) that the cars cannot be made much safer without affecting the 'sporting' aspect too much. Bars, canopy themselves can be dangerous at high speeds...and covering up the driver totally will affect the open wheel-open cockpit nature of F1 where you get to see at least some (middle finger/waving) emotion from the driver which is part of the appeal.
#364109
I wouldn't be opposed to a closed canopy but with the exception of Massa's freak occurrence the need for it is lessened in today's environment until another freak think happens. I still remember the Schumacer crash a couple of years ago and there are plenty of scary what if calls.

The exposed head is the the focus, rightfully so.
#364110
The reason why they are paid so much money, simply for the fact that they are closer to death compared to the regular 9-5er during their 'working hours'. They thrive being referred to as 'dare devils', so mortal danger is a bigger part of their lives.

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